Device For Adding Refrigerant Into Automobile Air Conditioning System

ABSTRACT

A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system, said device comprising: an air passage, a refrigerant port, and an air conditioning port; the air passage communicates the refrigerant port and the air conditioning port; wherein, a valve and a T-shape connector are provided along the air passage, the valve controls the opening of the air passage; the first end of the T-shape connector communicates with the valve, the second end of the T-shape connector communicates with the air conditioning port, and the third end of the T-shape connector communicates with a pressure gauge. While adding refrigerant, users can read the pressure of the automobile air conditioning system through the pressure gauge.

CLAIM OF FOREIGN PRIORITY, 35 U.S.C. §119

The present invention claims its foreign priority filing, pursuant to the provision of 35 U.S.C. section 119 et seq, based upon the application filed by the same inventors in China, having application number ZL201510152681.8 filed on Apr. 1, 2015.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for servicing automobile, in particular, it relates to a device for adding refrigerant into an automobile air conditioning system.

In an automobile, the air conditioning system provides the comfort to the driver, especially in the summer. However, the automobile air conditioner uses chemicals called refrigerant or coolant to cool air. The amount of refrigerant decreases as the air conditioner continues to operate. Accordingly, maintenance of an automobile air conditioning system requires periodic monitoring refrigerant pressure levels and re-charging of the refrigerant. The check of refrigerant pressure and addition of refrigerant may be attended by a professional mechanic. However, there is no need for a professional to carry out these functions. A growing number of automobile owners choose to perform the monitoring and adding refrigerant by themselves, which is also known as “Do-It-Yourself” consumers. Targeting the “Do-It-Yourself” consumers, refrigerant stored in canisters and tools for adding the refrigerant have been introduced.

The tools existing on the market have a few problems, first of all, the refrigerant used in air conditioning system damages the environment. While adding the refrigerant, the connection between the canister, the adding tool, and the air conditioner port must be sealed. Misconducts may cause the refrigerant leaking to the air. Secondly, there is no pressure gauge provided on the current tool; the user cannot know how much refrigerant has been added into the air conditioning system. The user often adds too little or too much refrigerant, which increases the workload of the air conditioners' compressor. Thirdly, the current tool uses a pin to pierce through the sealing of the refrigerant canister; thus causing the refrigerant flows from the canister into the air conditioning system. Typically, the sealing of the canister is made of metal or metal alloys, which possesses certain strength, stiffness, and hardness. The piercing pin also requires such hardness.

The piercing pin is typically moveable within the port. After the port connects with the canister, the user needs to rotate a handle connected to the piercing pin in order to drive the piercing pin to pierce the canister. And after piercing through the canister, the user has to rotate the handle to drive the piercing pin to its original position. Such structure is complicate to operate and not user friendly. The structure also increases the sealing difficulty due to its complexity. Furthermore, the pierced hole is relatively small, which slows the flow rate of the refrigerant.

Since the refrigerant port needs to be screwed on to the canister, securing the piercing pin with the refrigerant port is a simpler design, and easier to seal. The operation for piercing through the canister is simpler as well. As the refrigerant port rotates, the piercing pin not only pierces through, but also cut a circular hole on the canister seal. Thus the refrigerant flows much smoother. However, after using the tool several times, the piecing pin starts to loosen. The loosen pin may not be able to pierce through the canister; or the piercing hole is too small, and the refrigerant cannot flow out the canister smoothly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Responsive to the foregoing challenges, the objective of the present invention is to develop an air conditioner refrigerant adding device which can prevent refrigerant from leaking, and directly illustrate the amount being added.

The present invention has shown a device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system, said device comprising:

an air passage, a refrigerant port, and an air conditioning port; the air passage communicates the refrigerant port and the air conditioning port; wherein, a valve and a T-shape connector are provided along the air passage, the valve controls the opening of the air passage;

the first end of the T-shape connector communicates with the valve, the second end of the T-shape connector communicates with the air conditioning port, and the third end of the T-shape connector communicates with a pressure gauge;

the refrigerant port further comprises a first end and a second end, which communicates with each other via a center hole; the first end communicates with a refrigerant storage canister; the second end communicates with the valve; a piercing member, a spring, and a rubber seal are disposed in the refrigerant port; the spring bias the rubber seal;

the piercing member comprises a sharp end and a flanging cap ; the sharp end of piercing member is disposed in the first end of the refrigerant port and points toward the refrigerant storage canister; the flanging cap contacts the edge of the center hole; the sharp end is used to pierce through the sealing of the refrigerant storage canister;

An hallow end cap is disposed in the second end of the refrigerant port; the end cap contacts the inner surface of the second end and engages the flanging cap of the piercing member.

The present invention also has the following features:

The valve further comprises a valve body, a charging end, and a supply end; the supply end connects to the refrigerant port, and the charging end connects to the T-shape connector; the angle between the charging end and the valve body is an acute angle.

The angle between the charging end and the valve body is between 25 and 75 degree.

The angle between the charging end and the valve body is 43 degree.

The valve body further comprises a plunger seat, a plunger disposed in the plunger seat, and a driving unit; the driving unit includes a trigger connected to the plunger, and a spring biasing the trigger.

A plate is disposed between the first end and the second end of the refrigerant port; threads are formed on the outer surface of the second end; and a sealing ring engaging the plate is provided on the outer surface.

The end cap and the inner surface of the second end are connected by stress.

Threads are formed on the outer surface of the end cap and the inner surface of the second end; the end cap threads on the outer surface of the end cap connects to the threads on the inner surface of the second end.

At least one reinforcing strip is formed along the longitudinal direction of the flanging cap; and at least one corresponding groove is formed on the edge of the center hole.

A layer of copper is electroplated on the flanging cap; and the flanging cap is soldered to the edge of the center hole.

A pin is disposed in the center of the air conditioning port; while adding refrigerant, the pin engages with the automobile air conditioner servicing port.

The device further comprises a housing, the refrigerant port and the valve are disposed in the housing; the T-shape connector connects to the housing by tubes; the air conditioning port connects to the T-shape connector by tubes.

In the present device, a pin is disposed in the center of the air conditioning port. Once the user properly connects the device to the air conditioner servicing port, the pin engages with the serving port, and opens an air passage for the refrigerant to flow into the air conditioner. The risk of leaking the refrigerant into the atmosphere is lowered. Secondly, a T-shape connector and a pressure gauge are provided. During the adding process, the user can directly read the automobile air conditioner's pressure, and determine the amount of refrigerant to be added based on the pressure. Thus, the user will not add too little or too much refrigerant into the automobile air conditioner. Thirdly, the refrigerant stored in the canister is in liquid form, whereas the refrigerant in the air conditioning system is in gas form; by setting the angle between the charging end and the valve body as an acute angle prevents liquid refrigerant entering into the air conditioning system. The liquid refrigerant must be transformed into air form in order to pass the acute angle, thus making the adding process more smooth and efficient. After conducting multiple examinations, the applicant finds that the refrigerant adding process is the most efficient by setting the angle as 43 degrees. Furthermore, two rubber sealing members are disposed on the refrigerant port; further lowers the risk of refrigerant leaking An end cap is also disposed in the refrigerant port, engaging with the piercing member preventing the piercing member from shifting and rotating. The end cap thus solves the problem of slow refrigerant flow rate caused by the piercing member not completely piercing through the seal of the refrigerant canister.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a refrigerant adding device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the pressure gauge in the said device.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the valve in the said device.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the air conditioning port in the said device.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the refrigerant port in the said device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the end cap in the said device.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the piercing member in the said device.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the piercing member in the said device.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the center hole in the said device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. With reference to FIG. 1, a device for adding refrigerant into an automobile air condition system comprises: a refrigerant port 1 connecting to the refrigerant storage means, an air conditioning port 2 connecting to the automobile air conditioning system, and an air passage formed between the refrigerant port 1 and the air conditioning port 2. Typically, the refrigerant storage means are refrigerant canisters. A piercing member 13 is providing in the refrigerant port. As the refrigerant port 1 connects to the refrigerant canister, the piercing member 13 will pierce through the sealing of the refrigerant canister; thus letting the refrigerant flow into the air passage from the canister. A valve 3 and a T-shape connector 4 are also provided in the air passage. The first end of the T-shape connector 4 connects to the valve 3; the second end of the T-shape connector 4 connects to the air conditioning port 2; and the third end of the T-shape connector 4 connects to a pressure gauge 5. The pressure gauge measures the pressure within the automobile air conditioning system. In a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant adding device also includes a housing 6, the refrigerant port 1 and the valve 3 are disposed in the housing 6. The T-shape connector 4 connects to the housing 6 with tubes 7, and the air conditioning port 2 connects to the T-shape connector 4 with tubes 7. For each automobile, the location of the air conditioning system servicing port is different. In some automobiles, the servicing port is located in narrow spaces. The tube 7 is resilient and can form into any shape, which makes it easier for the user to connect the refrigerant adding device to the air conditioner's servicing port.

FIG. 2 has illustrated an embodiment of the pressure gauge 5. In this embodiment, the pressure gauge is an analog pressure gauge with pointers. While adding the refrigerant, the user can directly read the automobile air conditioner's pressure through the pressure gauge 5; thus preventing from adding too much or too little refrigerant into the air conditioning system.

With reference to FIG. 3, the valve 3 comprises a valve body, a charging end connected to the refrigerant port 1, and a supply end connected to the T-shape connector 4. The valve body further comprises a plunger seat 33, a plunger 34 disposed in the plunger seat 33, and a driving unit. The user moves the plunger 34 by operating the driving unit, thus controlling the opening of the air passage. In a preferred embodiment, the angle between the valve body and the supply end 32 is an acute angle within 25-75 degree range. The refrigerant stored in the canister is in liquid form, whereas the refrigerant flowing in the air conditioning system is in gas form. After conducting many experiments, the applicant finds that, by limiting the angle within 25-75 degree range, most of the liquid refrigerant stored in the canister will transform into gas while passing through the valve body and entering the supply end 32. The refrigerant flow rate is increased by limiting the angle. And after conducting many experiments, the applicant finds that the efficiency for adding the refrigerant is the highest when the angle between the valve body and the supply end 32 is limited to 43 degrees.

Furthermore, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the driving unit consists of a handle 31 connected to the plunger 34, and a spring 82 disposed between the valve 3 and the handle 81. The user controls the opening of the valve 3 by pressing the handle 81. Certainly, the driving unit 8 can also be rotating wheel or handle provided on a tap valve; and the user controls the opening of the valve 3 by rotating the wheel or handle.

With reference to FIG. 4, a pin 21 is provided in the air conditioning port 2. Once the user properly connects the air conditioning port 2 to the air conditioner servicing port, the pin 21 engages with the serving port, and opens an air passage for the refrigerant to flow into the air conditioner. In a specific embodiment, threads are formed on the inner wall of the air conditioning port 2 in order to have a more rigid connection with the air conditioner's servicing port.

With reference to FIG. 5, the refrigerant port 1 can be divided into a first end 11, which connects to the refrigerant storing means, and a second end 12, which connects to the valve 3. The first end 11 communicates with the second end 12 through a center hole. A typical refrigerant storing mean is a sealed canister. Threads are usually formed on the inner wall of the first end 11 to have a more rigid connection with the canister. A hollow piercing member 13, a spring 16, and a sealing member 14 is provided within the refrigerant port 1. One end of the piercing member 13 is a sharp end, which is used for piercing through the sealing of the canister; the other end of the piercing member 13 is a flanging cap 18, which engages with the center hole. When the user connects the refrigerant port 1 with the canister by rotating the first end 11, the piercing member 13 firstly pierces through the canister's sealing; then it rotates along with the first end 11, and cuts a circular hole on the canister's sealing. The refrigerant flows into the charging end 32 of the valve 3 through the hollow center of the piercing member 11. The spring 16 engages with the sealing member 14, and the sealing member prevents the refrigerant from leaking Furthermore, a plate 19 is formed between the first end 11 and the second end 12. Threads are formed on the outer wall of the second end 12, which is used for connecting the refrigerant port 1 to the valve 3. A sealing ring 15 is provided at the end of the threads on the outer wall of the second end 12. The sealing ring 15 also engages with the plate 19 to further prevents refrigerant leaking through the valve 3 and the port 1.

With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, an end cap 17 engages with the flanging end 18 of the piercing member 13. A hole is formed in the center of the end cap 17, thus communicating with the air passage. The outer surface of the end cap 17 engages with the inner surface of the refrigerant port 1. When the user drives the piercing member 13 to pierce the canister's sealing, the piercing member 13 experiences a reaction form. However, the end cap 17 engages the end of the piercing member 13, and secures the piercing member 13 from loosening. Therefore, the end cap 17 solves the problem of slow refrigerant flow rate caused by the piercing member not completely piercing through the seal of the refrigerant canister. Typically, the end cap 17 engages with the inner surface of the refrigerant port 1 by friction and stress. However, this connection requires high precision on manufacturing the end cap 17 and the refrigerant port 1. If the size of the end cap 17 is too small, there would not be sufficient friction between the end cap 17 and the inner wall of the refrigerant port 1 to secure the piercing member 13. On the other hand, if the size of the end cap 17 is too large, the end cap 17 may not fit into the refrigerant port 1, or burst the refrigerant port 1 open.

Therefore, with reference to FIG. 6, in a preferred embodiment, outer threads 171 are formed on the outer wall of the end cap 12, and inner threads are formed on the inner wall of the second end 17. In this embodiment, the end cap 12 is screwed onto the second end 12; and the precision requirement is lowered.

Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 1, 5 7-9, in a prior art, the piercing member 13 only moves longitudinally to pierce through the canister's sealing. The size of pierced hole highly depends on the following factors: the force applied by the user, the sharpness of the piercing member 13, and whether the piercing member 13 is loosen. For every canister, the size of pierced hole is different, which means the refrigerant flow rate is also different. On the other hand, in the present invention, when the user connects the refrigerant port 1 with the canister by rotating the first end 11, the piercing member 13 firstly pierces through the canister's sealing; then it rotates along with the first end 11, and cuts a circular hole on the canister's sealing. For each canister, the size of the hole is consistent. However, the present invention not only requires an end cap 17 to prevent the piercing member 13 from loosening in the longitudinal direction, but also needs to prevent the piercing member 13 from loosening in the circumferential direction. Therefore, with reference to FIG. 7-9, at least one protrusion is formed on the flanging end 18 of the piercing member 13. Preferably, the protrusion is a reinforcing strip 181 formed along the longitudinal direction by pressing. At least one recess is respectively formed on the inner wall of the refrigerant port 1. Preferably, the recess is a groove 191 matching with the reinforcing strip 181.

In another embodiment, the flanging end 18 of the piercing member 13 is soldered to the inner wall of the refrigerant port 1. However, the piercing member 13 is typically made of steel to possess a certain degree of stiffness and hardness, so that it can pierce through the canister's sealing. Whereas the refrigerant port 1 is typically made of brass. It is difficult to solder steel onto brass. Before soldering, a layer of copper is electroplated onto the flanging end 18 of the piercing member 13. Thus, the piercing member 13 is securely connected to the refrigerant port 1. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system, said device comprising: an air passage, a refrigerant port, and an air conditioning port; the air passage communicates the refrigerant port and the air conditioning port; wherein, a valve and a T-shape connector are provided along the air passage, the valve controls the opening of the air passage; the first end of the T-shape connector communicates with the valve, the second end of the T-shape connector communicates with the air conditioning port, and the third end of the T-shape connector communicates with a pressure gauge; the refrigerant port further comprises a first end and a second end, which communicates with each other via a center hole; the first end communicates with a refrigerant storage canister; the second end communicates with the valve; a piercing member, a spring, and a rubber seal are disposed in the refrigerant port; the spring bias the rubber seal; the piercing member comprises a sharp end and a flanging cap; the sharp end of piercing member is disposed in the first end of the refrigerant port and points toward the refrigerant storage canister; the flanging cap contacts the edge of the center hole; the sharp end is used to pierce through the sealing of the refrigerant storage canister; an hallow end cap is disposed in the second end of the refrigerant port; the end cap contacts the inner surface of the second end and engages the flanging cap of the piercing member.
 2. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, the valve further comprises a valve body, a charging end, and a supply end; the supply end connects to the refrigerant port, and the charging end connects to the T-shape connector; the angle between the charging end and the valve body is an acute angle.
 3. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein, the angle between the charging end and the valve body is between 25 and 75 degree.
 4. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein, the angle between the charging end and the valve body is 43 degree.
 5. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein, the valve body further comprises a plunger seat, a plunger disposed in the plunger seat, and a driving unit; the driving unit includes a trigger connected to the plunger, and a spring biasing the trigger.
 6. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, a plate is disposed between the first end and the second end of the refrigerant port; threads are formed on the outer surface of the second end; and a sealing ring engaging the plate is provided on the outer surface.
 7. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, the end cap and the inner surface of the second end are connected by stress.
 8. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, threads are formed on the outer surface of the end cap and the inner surface of the second end; the end cap threads on the outer surface of the end cap connects to the threads on the inner surface of the second end.
 9. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, at least one reinforcing strip is formed along the longitudinal direction of the flanging cap; and at least one corresponding groove is formed on the edge of the center hole.
 10. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, a layer of copper is electroplated on the flanging cap; and the flanging cap is soldered to the edge of the center hole.
 11. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, a pin is disposed in the center of the air conditioning port; while adding refrigerant, the pin engages with the automobile air conditioner servicing port.
 12. A device for adding refrigerant into automobile air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein, the device further comprises a housing, the refrigerant port and the valve are disposed in the housing; the T-shape connector connects to the housing by tubes; the air conditioning port connects to the T-shape connector by tubes. 